A professional snow removal contractor will have a wealth of tools, vehicles, and various pieces of equipment available to perform timely and effective deicing and snow removal services. This is particularly important for businesses and homes in Minnesota, who experience quite severe and adverse weather conditions every single winter.
From large patches of ice making it hazardous to walk and drove on your property to huge quantities of snow that must be physically removed from your property to ensure access to parking lots and entryways, there are substantial obstacles that a professional snow contractor must overcome. Every job requires a different piece of machinery, and in order to get the job done right, you’ll need a team of highly trained experts.
What Professional Snow Equipment Do Good Snow Contractors Use?
Any good snow contractor will have a fleet of vehicles and tools available at all times. While some contractors use leased equipment, at Earth Development we own our entire fleet. And we have the following tools available that ensure your property is always ready for whatever the winter weather has to throw at you.
Box Plows
Box plows, also known as snow pushers and containment plows, use big wheels to gain easy access to even difficult terrain – though they are typically used in parking lots. The box plow traps snow into a box and easily removes it from your site, meaning the snow isn’t simply pushed aside and left at the side of the road.
ATV Plows
An ATV plow is a smaller, more agile form of plow that is ideal for smaller spaces and uneven terrain. It combined an ATV or a UTV which a plow, making it easy to remove snow from uneven ground and grass where necessary. It’s also great for properties that need outdoor plowing but which don’t have the accessibility required for big snowplows and machines.
Snow Blowers
Snow blowers are used on pavements and roads to blow snow to the side. The snow can then be removed afterward. It’s one of the nimblest and most convenient forms of snow removal, particularly for smaller properties that don’t have room for big snow plows.
Snow Plows
Traditional snow plows use a large blade that pushes snow to the side. Various kinds of blades can be mounted to the front of the vehicle, including rubber and steel blades, depending on the surface that needs clearing. These are one of the biggest (and most common) snow clearing vehicles and require level round and large open space to work.
The Most Common Deicing Products Used to Treat Outdoor Surfaces
As well as snow removal, deicing is an important part of making businesses accessible during the winter. The most common materials used to make icy ground safer to use include:
Urea
This is an organic compound used in farming and industrial environments, but which is also good at deicing outdoor surfaces.
Potassium Acetate
Potassium Acetate is a popular option because it’s able to melt snow even when the outdoor temperatures are below freezing. It’s affordable and quick to apply and helps keep your entryways and parking lots free of snow and ice for long periods of time.
Sand
While sand doesn’t actually melt ice, it is ideal for spaces that have not been pre-treated. Sand helps increase grip on the ground so that people can walk and drive safely.
Salt
Salt is easily the most common method of deicing and one that has been used for a very long time. It helps melt ice but can only do so in temperatures above freezing.
Talk to the Experts
For more information about how to keep your business operational even during harsh winter weather, speak to the experts!
Our team at Earth Development boasts years of experience and all the tools necessary to get the job done right. Give us a call today at (920) 406-7501 or contact us online for a free quote, and we’ll show you how we can protect your Minnesota business in the winter.